Learning The History Of Community Theatre
By ama | January 25, 2009
Community theatre is a theatre that is run by a local district, and by the efforts of volunteers. They offer many different kinds of productions, such as musical theatre, dance theatre and children's theatre. Usually, performers are amateurs who receive no pay, but other times professionals get involved, and they are paid. Community theatres are a great way to get involved with local thespians.
Now, most theatres around the world are community theatres. The definition of community theatre is a theatre that puts on shows that will entertain or benefit the community. In the 1880s, "little theatre" was started in Europe so that poorer people could see theatrical productions without having to travel far or pay a lot. In 1910, this idea traveled to the United States, yet these little theatres were more of an anti-Broadway movement. Most theatre productions of that time were part of "The Syndicate," which was a company that basically owned all the theatres under it and shunned anyone who wasn't a part of it. This way the owners of the Syndicate could make more money. It was nearly impossible to have a functioning theatre company outside of the Syndicate. However, during this time people began to fight against the commercialization of theatre arts, so the Syndicate did not last long.
In the early years, community theatres were even funded by the government, but when shows became too political, government funding was stopped. Community theatres of today are a little different than the old "little theatres," as most simply want to infuse a little culture into the lives of the local citizens. In many cases, these theatres are run by colleges and their theatre departments. These productions are often free of charge, or charge very little money to pay for costumes and other incidental expenses. Many also encourage the participation of children and other young people to let them develop theatrical skills, as well as to keep them busy so that they do not choose to get into trouble. Theatre is seen as a wholesome activity for young people to be involved with, and the fact that a production takes a lot of hard work and dedication is good as well.
The history of community theatre is interesting to know about. It is always exciting to see the origins of certain activities. It is apparent that community theatres are a great addition to other community programs and activities. Community theatres are definitely a great way to keep kids and adult members occupied in a fun way. With the chance to develop skills and talent, auditioning for a national theatre may not be far off for some.
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